The multitude of player-acquisition methods available to MLS teams sometimes shrouds the fact that many are strengthened not by importing players but
by grabbing them off opposing rosters.

Trades, waivers, and the Re-Entry Draft allow teams to get players from within the league. While not all the players mentioned here are starters,
they have contributed significantly with their new teams.

Since going to Columbus from Chicago, Dominic Oduro is the Crew’s leading scorer, and Will
Johnson is the Timbers' top scorer since arriving from Real Salt Lake. Two of Johnson’s former teammates at RSL, Jamison Olave and Fabian Espindola,
are fueling the Red Bulls’ recent push.

Using recycled players adds league experience to the roster and often proves to be economically viable.

A season about one-third
complete is a small database yet a few offseason moves are already proving to be valuable. He are the top performers acquired from other MLS teams.

GOALKEEPERJoe Bendik Toronto FC (Portland).TFC’s defensive woes continue, which shows up in his stats -- 1-6-4 record, 1.45 goals-allowed average
-- yet he’s seldom to blame when things go bad in the back. He’s done more than his share while often under siege.

DEFENDERSMichael Harrington Portland (Sporting Kansas City).The Timbers are staying in games and grinding out ties by solid play in the back, and Harrington’s work on the left side
is helping quell opponents. He’s played all but 11 minutes this season.

Jamison Olave New York (Real Salt Lake).A strong game by Olave against the Galaxy last
weekend bodes well for the Red Bulls, who could be serious title contenders with Olave anchoring a back line in support of an attack that includes his former RSL teammate Fabian Espindola.

Ike Opara Sporting Kansas City (San Jose).A broken foot in his rookie season (2010) set him back and he never re-established himself in the Quakes lineup; he’s started
and finished five games for SKC and figures to see regular time when Matt Besler joins the USA squad.

MIDFIELDERSWill Johnson
Portland (Real Salt Lake). He’s the captain, he anchors the midfield, he takes set pieces, he sprays the ball around the field, and he really ticks off the opposition. So far he’s the key
ingredient in the Timbers’ transformation under Caleb Porter.

Jeff Larentowicz Chicago (Colorado).The Fire’s makeover isn’t going so well but at
least the presence of Larentowicz gives head coach Frank Klopas a reliable pillar in midfield. Other elements are needed to maximize Larentowicz’s organizational and leadership abilities.

Eric Alexander New York (Portland).The only Red Bull to play every game this season, he and ex-RSL man Johnny Steele have toughened up the midfield while not
restricting the offensive flow of stylists like Juninho. For Alexander, the third MLS club (he started with Dallas) might be the charm.

Dominic Oduro Columbus
(Chicago).He’s played right mid as well as up top; more importantly, he’s the Crew’s top scorer with five goals. His speed complements the guile of Federico Higuain and Jairo
Arrieta very well.

FORWARDSKenny Cooper FC Dallas (New York).With hefty teammates Blas Perez and Eric Hassli playing the
big-forward role, Cooper has scored three goals while prowling the fringes of the penalty area and timing his runs. Being back home seems to work for him.

Sebastien Le
Toux Philadelphia (New York).He hasn’t lit it up since returning to Philly, where he played in its 2010 expansion season, yet he leads the team with four assists and like many of
his teammates is figuring out the system decreed by Coach John Hackworth.

Edson Buddle, Colorado (Los Angeles).Two goals in five games is encouragement enough that
the slowly healing Rapids have found a focal point for their myriad attackers.

Kreis looks bad right now having given up on Johnson, Epindola, and Olave. But it will pay off eventually. Johnson is better in Porter's system; Olave is always one stride away from injury ; and Espindola does not finish well enough. RSLs young speedsters and young CD need a little more seasoning. The team also is in desperate need of quality with speed at the outside backs. That's where the money saved will go, perhaps as soon as the offseason . Then watch out.